The difference of 99.5 m (326.5 feet) between the levels of Lake Ontario and Lake Erie is now overcome with eight locks and 43.4 km (27 miles) of canal. Each of seven lift locks has an average lift of 14.2 m (46.5 feet) while Lock 8 at Lake Erie is a control lock with a shallow lift varying from 0.3 to 1.2 m (1 to 4 feet) to make the final adjustment to the lake level.
The seven lifts are located in the northern 11.6 km (7.2 miles) section of the canal, between Lake Ontario and the top of the Niagara escarpment. A 27.8 km (17.3 miles) man-made channel runs through level ground to the shallow-lift control lock at Lake Erie. Piers projecting into the lakes account for an additional 4.0 km (2.5 miles).
